A new public library described as "a magnificent shop window for knowledge, information and culture that unambiguously promotes the idea of reading day and night" has officially opened -- almost 10 years after the project began.

The Book Mountain public library, designed by MVRDV for a budget of US$39 million, was opened on Oct. 4 by Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands in Spijkenisse, which is near Rotterdam. It has a total surface area of more than 30,000 square feet and sits on the market square next to the historical village church. The building also houses the environmental education centre, a chess club, auditorium, meeting rooms, commercial offices and retail.

Book Mountain is covered by a barn shaped glass envelope with wooden trusses resulting in a transparent almost open-air library.